09-04-2019 CHABON

In this reading, it was easy to quickly take note that, when surrounded by an atmosphere that not only accepts who you are, but embraces it completely, it is not difficult to be your truest self. One of the ways that this was made clear was through Chabon’s writing structure on page ten where his steps into his sons $400 silver Adidas sneakers as Abe is responding to the reporters who were asking him his opinions about the shows. Michael Chabon rambles his sons answers in a laundry list of sorts, connecting the statements with an “or.” He writes that “I [Abe] thought the collection was interesting or I [Abe] thought it was awesome or I [Abe] thought it was a little boring, you know, it didn’t really stand out, we’ve seen a lot of trench coats already this week or the quality of the tailoring didn’t seem very good or I [Abe] thought it was insane or it was fire or it was lit” (Chabon 10). This section of the writing shows how quickly and easily Abe was able to adapt into an environment where he is supported and encouraged. Abe then goes on to explore the different shows of the fashion week before eventually coming to the Pigalle show. He felt so at home there that at the end of the reading, Chabon says that his son was finally “with your [his] people. You [he] found them” (Chabon 60). If Abe were to be in a different setting being open about who he was or even just wearing clothes that fit his unique and personal style, there is a good chance that he would not be accepted by the world around him. In conclusion, the article is saying that it is predominantly the surrounding people and atmosphere that control the climate of self expression and self-definition.